Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports

105

"Excellent," I said, irritated all over again. "Then get us out of this stinking dungeon."

"What test did she pass?" Nudge asked, raising her head a little.

Jeb turned to her. "She's incorruptible."

Bully for me. "At least by power," I said. "You haven't tried Snickers bars or cute shoes."

Jeb smiled at me. It still hurt my heart when he did that.

"You don't want the Director to be your mother no matter what kind of power you would get from it."

"I don't want the Director to be my mother because she's an insane witch," I said.

His smile widened, and I barely suppressed an urge to punch him.

"The Director isn't your mother."

Had I heard right? Was he just snowing me? I felt Nudge and Angel stiffen, and Ari clumsily sat up and rubbed his eyes. He blinked at seeing Jeb but didn't say anything.

"What do you mean?" I said suspiciously. "Is this one of your chain yanks? I mean, for God's sake, make up your mind!"

"The Director, Marian Janssen, engineered your design and development," Jeb explained. "She oversaw the whole project. To her, that must feel like motherhood."

"Oh, my God, and here I thought she couldn't get any more pathetic." Relief was flooding through me that such a horrible, crazy person truly had not passed on her DNA to me.

"She didn't donate an egg?" I needed to be sure.

Jeb shook his head. "She shares no genetic material with you."

I dropped my head. "I'm really, really glad," I muttered. Of course, it left me with my same old "mystery guest" for a mother, but I swear, anyone would have been better than that freak show. I couldn't believe Jeb had just waltzed in here and told me. He, more than anyone else, should have known how huge it was, finding out who my mother was. Or wasn't.

I looked up at him. "Well? Any other bombs you want to drop before you leave? Any more fake directions you want to steer me in?"

Jeb hesitated. "Do you remember in New York, when you killed Ari, and I yelled that you had killed your brother?"

I looked over warily and saw Ari tense, staring at Jeb.

"Yeah. Lucky for you he's hard to kill."

Ari shot me a brief smile.

"He is your brother, Max," said Jeb. "At least, your half brother."

I couldn't breathe. What did...what...

"I'm your father, Max," said Jeb simply.